I. The Author of the Word

1. By whom are the Scriptures inspired?

2 Timothy 3:16

KJV ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: WEB ¹⁶ Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

2 Peter 1:21

KJV ²¹ For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. WEB ²¹ For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

Note a

2. What is one characteristic of God's Word?

Daniel 10:21

KJV ²¹ But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. WEB ²¹ But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince.

John 17:17

KJV ¹⁷ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. WEB ¹⁷ Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.

3. What is a distinguishing manifestation of God's power?

Isaiah 45:18

KJV ¹⁸ For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. WEB ¹⁸ For Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited says: “I am Yahweh. There is no other.

Jeremiah 10:12

KJV ¹² He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. WEB ¹² God has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens.

II. The Test of Divine Truth

4. What is one conclusive evidence of the divinity of the Scriptures?

Isaiah 45:21

KJV ²¹ Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. WEB ²¹ Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior. There is no one besides me.

Isaiah 46:9-10

KJV ⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: WEB ⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me. ¹⁰ I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.

2 Peter 1:19

KJV ¹⁹ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: WEB ¹⁹ We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:

Note b

5. What did Christ declare His words to be?

John 6:63

KJV ⁶³ It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. WEB ⁶³ It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.

6. How is the power of the Word shown in human experience?

1 Peter 1:23

KJV ²³ Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. WEB ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.

III. The Purpose of the Word

7. For what purpose was the Word written?

John 20:30-31

KJV ³⁰ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: ³¹ But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. WEB ³⁰ Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Psalm 119:11

KJV ¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. WEB ¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:105

KJV ¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. WEB NUN ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

Note c

8. What are the Scriptures able to do?

2 Timothy 3:15-17

KJV ¹⁵ And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. WEB ¹⁵ From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Romans 15:4

KJV ⁴ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. WEB ⁴ For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

9. Of whom do all the Scriptures testify?

John 5:39

KJV ³⁹ Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. WEB ³⁹ “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.

10. What attitude is necessary on our part that we may under stand the Scriptures?

John 7:17

KJV ¹⁷ If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. WEB ¹⁷ If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.

a “Here is a book coming from all quarters, written by men of all classes, scattered through a period of fifteen hundred years: and yet this book is fitted together as a wondrous and harmonious whole. How was it done? 'Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' One mind inspires the whole book, one voice speaks in it all, and it is the voice of God speaking with resurrection power.” — H. L. HASTINGS, Will the Old Book Stand? p. 22.

b “Mere human foresight cannot reveal the distant future, or tell us what will be on the morrow. Heathen oracles and spirit mediums can sometimes disclose the past; only God can definitely reveal the distant and uncertain future. The prophets of Israel foretold events thousands of years before they came to pass. This is true of Nineveh, Babylon, Jerusalem, and especially of the land of Egypt.” — Ibid., p. 324.

“The revelations of prophecy are facts which exhibit the di vine omniscience. So long as Babylon is in heaps; so long as Nineveh lies empty, void, and waste; so long as Egypt is the basest of kingdoms; so long as Tyre is a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea; so long as Israel is scattered among all nations; so long as Jerusalem is trodden underfoot of the Gen tiles; so long as the great empires of the world march on in their predicted courses, so long we have proof that one Om niscient Mind dictated the predictions of that book, and that prophecy came not in old time by the will of man.” — Ibid., p. 20.

c “The truths of the word of God meet man's great practical necessity, – the conversion of the soul through faith. These grand principles are not to be thought too pure and holy to be brought into the daily life. They are truths which reach to heaven and compass eternity, yet their vital influence is to be woven into human experience. They are to permeate all the great things and all the little things of life.”

“Received into the heart, the leaven of truth will regulate the desires, purify the thoughts, and sweeten the disposition. It quickens the faculties of the mind and energies of the soul. It enlarges the capacity for feeling, for loving.” — Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 100, 101.